Three years after September 11, the United States is still dangerously unprepared to prevent or respond to another attack on its soil. Faced with this threat, the United States should be operating on a wartime footing at home. But despite the many new security precautions that have been proposed, America’s most serious vulnerabilities remain ominously exposed.

U.S. policymakers tout the death of radical Yemeni cleric Anwar al-Awlaki as a victory for counterterrorism operations, but the episode highlights controversial aspects of the expanding targeted killing policy.

The assassination of Afghan government negotiator Burhanuddin Rabbani signals the challenges in any reconciliation talks with the Taliban and could exacerbate ethnic divisions, pushing the country into a civil war.

Pakistan's arrest of senior al-Qaeda leaders signals renewed cooperation with the United States. But experts stress both sides have to work harder to tackle issues such as Pakistan's relations with militant groups and U.S. objectives in Afghanistan.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pledged to press Pakistan on terrorism and tried to ease New Delhi's worries over Afghanistan on her visit to India this week. But a deteriorating U.S.-Pakistan relationship decreases Washington's ability to influence Islamabad on terrorism issues, say experts.

U.S.-Pakistan ties are increasingly frayed following a string of high-profile counterterrorism incidents, but experts say U.S. aid to Pakistan should continue and that the security relationship remains vital.

2015 Annual Report

Learn more about CFR’s mission and its work over the past year in the 2015 Annual Report. The Annual Report spotlights new initiatives, high-profile events, and authoritative scholarship from CFR experts, and includes a message from CFR President Richard N. Haass.Read and download »